July 30, 2012
Voice of Kapolei - May 2012
As we near the end of the legislative session for 2012, here are some of the bills I wanted you to know about.
HB 2514 would allow criminals to be back on the street within several days after their arrests, and it would release known felons into society 12- 18 months sooner than their original sentencing dictates. The logic behind this bill is that it would help us reduce prison overcrowding, but I know releasing convicts back onto the streets quicker is not the best way to do this. I have serious concerns about this bill. We need to be harder on criminals to protect victims.
HB 1033 would form the Clean Economy Bank of the State of Hawaii, which would back renewable energy projects with tax dollars. This state-operated bank is one of the most unsettling initiatives going through this legislative session.
HB 2798 creates a Veterans Treatment Court in Hawaii. Many veterans return from deployment disoriented because of the challenges they faced fighting abroad. Veterans court can keep veterans out of emergency rooms, hospitals, and prison by utilizing volunteer veteran mentor programs. These programs have been successful in other states. Hospitalization and prison are costly intervention measures that hurt taxpayers, so this veterans court will help strengthen our economy in the long run. It is crucial we show our appreciation for veterans by supporting the creation of a Hawaii Veterans Court. Veterans have done so much for us, so we must take this opportunity to give back to them in a way that strengthens our community.
I've been in touch with several doctors that have a proposal to open an Urgent Care Center if an emergency room is not opened soon. Dr. Scott McCaffrey and Dr. Danilo Ablan, former Chief of Staff and Chief Medical Officer at HMC West respectively, are spearheading this effort. It would be located at the Hawaii Medical Center West facility in Ewa Beach. This Urgent Care Center would be able to handle patients who have an injury or sickness that is NOT life threatening. The HMC bankruptcy process is still moving forward and that case needs to be resolved before any organization can start talking about opening up a hospital. The process of opening a new hospital would include a rigorous certification process.
In light of the loss of nearly 1,000 jobs from the closure of HMC and the continued demand for jobs, I'm co-hosting the Leeward Job and Career Fair on Tuesday, June 12, 2012 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Salvation Army Kroc Center Hawaii at 91-3257 Kualaka'i Parkway in 'Ewa Beach. The event is free and open to the public. This year's event is done in partnership with West O'ahu Women's Network (WOW). In addition to employers there will be resume critiques, interview tips and workshops.
There is a registration fee of $125 for employers and other organizations that want to reserve space at the event. The fee includes one eight-foot table, two chairs, free parking and lunch. Register online at http://leewardjobfair.eventbrite.com. Registration by May 4 is $100. For more information call 586-9730.
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July 30, 2012
Voice of Kapolei - April 2012
My colleagues and I are concerned about several bills that increase numerous fees and form risky state-operated banks.
New Fees Coming, Old Fees Going Higher
As Hawaii starts to recover from the biggest economic downturn since World War II, some legislators would undermine this progress by hitting businesses and residents with fee hikes and new fees altogether.
The Tax Foundation of Hawaii cautions that such "revenue enhancement" schemes do not work unless state spending is curtailed at the same time. Those bills continue the wasteful status quo, however, resulting in the "siphoning off of money that would otherwise be circulating in the economy to help create the jobs Hawaii's people need."
Here are a handful of bad bills to watch:
HB 2555 HD1 would establish a $50 fee to expedite the certified copy service or services that require special attention for registered birth, death and marriage records. Fees for certified copies of these vital statistics would also rise.
HB2567 HD1 would increase the cost of getting married by requiring the Department of Health to increase marriage license fees by $40.
HB2359 HD2 would require a vendor selling portable electronics insurance to pay a fee of $2,000 for a limited-lines license and pay a yearly fee of $1,200 for the initial or a renewed license.
Straining Financial Resources with State Banks
One of the most unsettling initiatives going through this session is the idea of two state-run banks, which would put tax revenue in jeopardy and create wasteful bureaucracies.
The Hawaii Bankers Association points out that the state lacks experience in operating for-profit businesses - let alone a complicated bank. Moreover, the Department of Budget and Finance is concerned that a state bank would over-extend financial resources and lower Hawaii's credit rating.
Here are the bills to be aware of:
HB 2103 HD2 would establish the Bank of the State of Hawaii to acquire toxic mortgages when homeowners default on loans.
HB 1033 HD1 would form the Clean Economy Bank of the State of Hawaii, which would back renewable energy projects with your tax dollars.
I am working hard to look out for your best interests and I am eager to hear your thoughts on these and other bills. Please contact my office at 586-9730 or email reppine@capitol.hawaii.gov with any questions.
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July 30, 2012
Voice of Kapolei - March 2012
A few of the hot topics in the Leeward Coast are reapportionment and the Hawaii Medical Center closure.
In the uproar about reapportionment, neighborhoods are being arbitrarily separated or are grouped together with neighborhoods that have different needs. Every ten years the Census is taken and the lines for districts for the House and Senate seats are reviewed according to how many people live in the area. The reapportionment committee did its job of creating new maps. The Supreme Court ruled on January 4 that the district lines needed to be redrawn again as residents on the Big Island said the new lines are unfair as the census counts included military members, their dependents and nonresident students who they say do not vote in Hawaii.
However, some military members and their families are an integral part of our community and they do vote in Hawaii. The new district maps have been presented to the public and now there is continued input on the maps. For our House District 43 ('Ewa Beach, Iroquois Point, Puuloa) the present plans move some parts of Ocean Pointe and all of Hoakalei into House District 44 which is Kalaeloa, Campbell Industrial Park, Barbers Point Harbor, Honokai Hale, Ko Olina, Nanakuli and Ma'ili. With community meetings that were held last month on O'ahu and Hawaii Island, the Reapportionment Committee has been active in listening to residents. For more details, log onto http://hawaii.gov/elections/reapportionment/.
I hosted the Hawaii Medical Center Closure Town Hall meeting on February 9, 2012 at Kapolei Middle School to let residents on the Leeward side of the island know what medical resources are available now that the HMC West is closed, and what can be done to reopen a hospital and emergency room in our area. It was very encouraging to see many people in the audience. Those who attended said the information was informative. The speakers were representatives from the State, City Emergency Management Services, Pali Momi, Tripler Army Medical Center, Wahiawa General Hospital, Pearl City Urgent Care, and the Hawaii Medical Association.
The good news is that our local hospitals have expressed interest in reopening a hospital and emergency room. Among some of the interested parties are Queens Medical Center and Hawaii Pacific Health. The bankruptcy procedures for the hospital would need to be completed first in order for the local hospitals to start discussions and eventually take ownership. The new hospital would also need to undergo certifications to ensure that it is up to standards. Many are hopeful that a hospital can open within a year's time although it may take longer.
The City EMS director Dr. James Ireland said that HMC West was the second busiest emergency room after Queen's. The City EMS provided additional ambulances on the West side of the island to help make things easier for the other ambulances that will now have to drive farther to get patients to an emergency room. The ambulances are going to either Pali Momi or Wahiawa General Hospital. If those hospitals are busy, patients are transported further to Queen's Medical Center. At the state level, I've supported legislation that supports funds for the ambulances on the Leeward side, and funds for Wahiawa General Hospital with HB 1953 and HB 1849. In HB 2345, St. Francis Healthcare has asked the state Legislature for $80 million in special revenue bonds, which will not be taxpayer dollars, so they can renovate the hospital.
The Hawaii Medical Center is closed however, there are still about 70 doctors' offices located in the building. There are five buildings serving the community including St. Francis Hospice, St. Francis Medical Office Building, The Cancer Center of Hawaii, Liberty Dialysis, Clinical Laboratories of Hawaii.
Due to community concerns about the economy, the recent lay-offs of nearly 1,000 HMC West employees, and the frustration of resumes going into the virtual abyss, I'm hosting a job fair on Friday, June 1 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please join my email list to keep posted about the job fair. I'm especially interested in finding Leeward-based employers that would like to participate.
Serving the people of our community gives me great joy and I look forward to working with you. Please contact my office at 586-9730 or email reppine@capitol.hawaii.gov for more information.
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July 30, 2012
Voice of Kapolei - February 2012
My colleagues and I created a legislative package for 2012 to solve some of the challenges facing our state. We have a four-part recovery program to stabilize jobs, lower the cost of living, protect our community, and improve government transparency and accountability.
Many people in our community have said that jobs and the economy are on the forefront of their mind. Some citizens may be counting on their last dollar - or coins - to get the things that they need most. To make it easier on businesses to create jobs, we support a bill that gives business owners an income tax credit when they hire people who are on unemployment. The tax credit would be equal to the amount of unemployment insurance taxes paid. To get the credit, the job needs to be a full-time permanent position. Another bill would delay the scheduled unemployment tax increase.
Businesses presently pay about $667 per employee. Some business leaders say the scheduled increase would add about $180 to $650 per employee. If the increase goes up as scheduled, it may make it harder for businesses to hire people. In addition, I support a bill that creates a property-assessed clean energy (PACE) program in Hawaii. PACE allows home owners and business owners to obtain low-interest loans that cover the upfront costs to install renewable energy systems and increase energy efficiency.
The second part of our plan is to make government more transparent, we have several bills that we proposed. One bill requires an audit of all special funds to be done on a regular basis which assists in shedding light on how your tax dollars are being used. Also the legislature will look at a bill to require all legislation to include any costs involved. This would let lawmakers and the public know much money a bill would cost or bring in before it passes.
We also want more transparency on nominees for any appointments including judicial and legislative positions. This empowers the people to give their input before the position confirmation is made when the names of the nominees are released. In other areas of transparency, we are asking that the balance sheets for the state departments be made available online for the public to see so they know where their money is going.
Our third part focuses on lowering the cost of living. To do that we are proposing bills that require a two-thirds vote by the legislature on any tax or fee increase. Another way to lower the cost of living is to support a bill that allows other types of biofuels so we will be less dependent on the high cost of importing fuel.
The fourth part protects our community. We want stronger computer fraud laws as nearly everyone is online. My colleagues and I are pressing for higher penalties for people who illegally access computer systems. In addition, we are supporting a bill to require Hawaii Internet providers to keep consumer information for two years to help prosecute crimes that happen online. We are also proposing a bill that allows Hawaii courts in criminal cases to issue a warrant, subpoena, or order the reproduction of records outside Hawaii.
I'd like to invite you to a town hall meeting on the Hawaii Medical Center (HMC) closure from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. on February 9, 2012 at Kapolei Middle School Dining Room/Cultural Center. We have a panel of medical professionals and healthcare industry experts who will be sharing what medical resources are available now that HMC closed and what the community can do to re-open a much needed hospital or emergency room in the area. Some of the panelists include CEO of Pearl City Urgent Care Donna Schmidt and City EMS director Dr. James Ireland.
I look forward to working with you on the issues that matter to you most. As always, please contact me with any questions or concerns. I have a weekly video-email update called Rep. Pine's Inbox where I address constituents' and legislative concerns. To sign-up for the updates and to contact me, call 586-9730 or email me at reppine@capitol.hawaii.gov.
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July 30, 2012
Voice of Kapolei - January 2012
Looking Back, Looking Ahead
Aloha! It's a new year, a time for reflection and renewal. It's also a time for us all to reevaluate where we stand today and to begin new endeavors. Whether it is pledging to live more healthily, explore a different career, or spend more time with family, the new year brings an opportunity to grow and evolve. What do you want for your own life and family in 2012? What would you like to see happen at the State Capitol and in your own neighborhood?
We accomplished a great deal working together last year. Our community came together to get prepared for natural and manmade disasters by organizing the largest preparedness event in state history. We championed veterans' rights to respect and honor their service. And especially in this tough economic time, I was proud to support legislation to create jobs, help small business owners and employees and decrease the exorbitant cost of living in Hawaii.
In addition to improving our hurting economy, I have many plans for 2012. Many residents have expressed the importance of protecting the people and businesses of Hawaii from the growing threat of crimes committed via the Internet. We learned last year that our laws have not kept pace with the adeptness of criminals in this arena.
I'm working on a suite of bills to address those concerns. We must work to strengthen computer fraud laws to make them as strong as identify theft statutes, increase penalties for unauthorized computer access use, require local and out-of-state internet service providers to comply with Hawaii law enforcement and explore the idea of licensing web designers.
The new year will also bring many exciting things for the Leeward Coast. The Ewa Emergency Preparedness Committee is continuing plans to engage and prepare our community for natural and manmade disasters this September with the 2nd Annual Emergency Preparedness Fair. I'll continue to partner with schools to ensure that our keiki and their families are well prepared for emergency situations. I'm also enthusiastic to start a community garden project, because as you know, local gardening and farming stimulate our economy, provide jobs for our neighbors and improve the health of our families.
As always, I promise to listen intently to your needs and partner with you to make our community an even better place to live, both on the Leeward Coast and by representing you in the Legislature. Please continue to send in your suggestions and ideas because those are what improve life for people close to home and across the state.
Mahalo nui loa for all of the work you did for the Leeward Coast in 2011. I very much look forward to working with you in the new year.
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July 30, 2012
Voice of Kapolei - December 2011
Happy Holidays from Representative Kymberly Pine
Every year, the holiday season helps us to remember our blessings. I'm thankful for my family and friends and the community that we live in. I'm also thankful for the honor of representing many of you in the State House and being a part of an incredible Leeward leadership team that has improved our schools, businesses and our community as a whole. I have been very inspired by you as we've worked together over the years.
As you know, families across the country are facing hard economic times. Many Americans of are out of work and may not be able to afford many gifts this year. Members of our military and their loved ones are making enormous sacrifices fighting wars abroad and may have to spend the holidays away from home. But we still have a lot to be thankful for.
My grandparents immigrated to America with almost no belongings or money in their pocket, yet they felt blessed to be in this great country. Their friends and neighbors lent a hand and helped to make their transition to America a smooth one. My grandparents have since raised a family and found the opportunities they came here for. But they continue to remember their humble beginnings and recognize a commitment to lend a hand to those in need today. They maintain their sense of gratitude and recognize that we all have moments of need from time to time.
If you'd like to lend a hand this holiday season, consider giving to a food bank or sending a care package to troops overseas. And some of the best gifts don't have to cost anything. In times like these when finances may be tight, the gift of time is often the best of all. Volunteering through your church or your child's school or participating in a community clean up are wonderful ways to give back to our neighbors.
This time of year is also a great occasion to teach our children about giving back. Every child loves getting presents, of course, but the gift of giving can be very rewarding. I encourage you to schedule a day this holiday season to serve others and involve the keiki in the entire process. They can learn a priceless lesson by making a difference in someone else's life, and it can be a fun experience for the whole family.
I would like to express my tremendous gratitude for our troops, veterans and their families who continue give so much year-round. Their sacrifice is the reason why Americans have so much to be thankful for. Just as every year, many troops won't be home for the holidays, so please help me in extending support and sincere appreciation.
Thank you for all that you do to help your friends, neighbors, and other families you may never meet. I wish you and your family a very happy holiday season.
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July 30, 2012
Voice of Kapolei - November 2011
The 2012 legislative session is fast approaching and my colleagues and I are hard at work composing legislative packages to solve the challenges our state is facing. I have heard from many neighbors, friends and constituents that the economy is highest on their minds.
In addition to getting Hawai'i residents back to work, I will continue to support government transparency, reducing the size and scope of government, fostering a better business environment and accelerating student learning. The issues of elder abuse, child safety, traffic mitigation and cybercrime are also high priorities of mine.
What issues are important to you as we approach the next legislative session? What do you think would make West 'Oahu an even better place to live? In what ways could government promote an atmosphere for economic growth?
Our residents carry the third highest per capita government debt burden in the nation, more than $23,000 for every man, woman and child who lives here. Governor Abercrombie has warned that Hawai'i is facing an economic storm with unfunded pension and health costs approaching a staggering $22 billion.
This local debt scenario comes at a time when national leaders are seeking ways to cut trillions of dollars from federal spending to avoid another debt ceiling crisis or national financial defaults such as those taking place in Europe.
These problems could be significantly mitigated by two essential components of government transparency: we must more closely scrutinize the way that government spends your tax dollars and ensure that its accounting practices are more straightforward. Hawai'i's debt will be one of my major focuses next session.
Many constituents have also contacted me about their concerns regarding elder abuse. Crimes of this nature are increasing at an alarming rate. Honolulu Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro reported that his office handled 57 elder abuse cases in 2009 and 102 cases in 2010. Between January and May of this year, it had already handled 60 cases. I believe the legislature has a responsibility to protect our residents from this growing trend.
Abusers often target elderly men and women who live alone and have family on the mainland or on outer islands. The victim and his or her family may not even realize the crime is occurring until it's too late. Hawai'i needs stronger safeguards, tougher penalties and education to protect our seniors from these perpetrators.
The House Committee on Human Services is currently exploring consumer protection issues involving Hawai'i's seniors, including elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation and revisiting HB 1123, which I helped author during the 2011 legislative session. HB 1123 would require a durable Power of Attorney (POA) to be signed by two witnesses not related to the POA and acknowledged by a notary public, an effort to defend seniors against financial exploitation by caregivers.
I will ask the legislature to consider requiring the second signer to be experienced in elder financial exploitation - someone who would know whether a person is being coerced or is in the proper state of mind to make financial decisions.
Please send me your suggestions and priorities for what you would like to see happen at the State Legislature. We are here for you, so it's important that the lines of communication are open. I send out regular updates by email every week including our "Rep. Pine's Inbox" video series by which I reply to widespread constituent and legislative issues. To sign up for those updates, please call 586-9730 or email me at reppine@capitol.hawaii.gov .
I look forward to working with you on the issues that matter to you most. As always, please with any questions or concerns.
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July 25, 2012
Voice of Kapolei - September 2011
A Time to Remember. A Time to Prepare. September is National Preparedness Month
Aloha,
As you know, this September marks the tenth anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks. Just as I do, I'm sure you remember where you were when those horrifying events unfolded that day.
Hopefully, our nation will never have to experience that kind of tragedy again. But as we remember that awful day ten years ago, it's important that we also look to the future, as disasters can be both manmade and natural, and can come without warning. We must prepare not only at the government level, but also within our own homes and communities.
After many of us realized earlier this year that the 'Ewa Plain is not entirely prepared for the potential emergencies we face, a group of local residents with extensive preparedness experience came together to form the 'Ewa Emergency Preparedness Committee. They have been working very hard to coordinate our first-ever "Get Ready 'Ewa Beach" Emergency Preparedness Fair.
These disasters can affect all of us in Hawai'i, so everyone is welcome. We hope to hold more preparedness events in Leeward Coast, but this first event will be a fantastic way to kick-off our efforts to help all our neighbors. It's amazing what we can achieve when we work together.
The event will take place on September 24, 2011, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at 'Ewa Makai Middle School and will focus on tsunami and hurricane preparedness, how to create a family plan, supply kits, evacuations, health emergencies and insurance.
Experts from the Department of Emergency Management, State Civil Defense, FEMA, American Red Cross, Boy Scouts of America, private businesses and dozens of community organizations will host informational booths, seminars and hands-on training sessions for you and your neighbors to prepare for the next impending manmade or natural disaster.
The family-friendly fair will be open to all ages and include fun activities for children as well as preparedness information specifically geared toward older residents. You can also enter to win great raffle prizes, like one of two electric generators, emergency supply kits, and many other useful preparedness tools!
As always, please call my office at 586-9730 or email me at reppine@capitol.hawaii.gov with questions. I hope to see you on September 24th!
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July 25, 2012
Voice of Kapolei - August 2011
When I watch the fireworks each Fourth of July, I can't help but be reminded of the battles fought to create America and those fought since its founding to preserve it.
But these reminders should not only come on the few holidays each year dedicated to our troops and veterans. Day in and day out, a staggering number of Americans is either fighting in war, in training, or sacrificing time with family as loved ones leave for combat.
That sacrifice is on the minds of those many troops and family members constantly, and it doesn't fade from their daily thoughts as time passes and media attention fades.
We have long celebrated these sacrifices on designated days of the year. But oftentimes, as parents, students and active members of the community, we become busy with our everyday lives. It's understandable that we sometimes forget that our overseas conflicts are even still happening.
But that's exactly the point - we are able to put the horrors of war and injustice out of our minds because of our troops.
I'm committed to the issues that military families face and pledge to always keep that a priority. As a Navy wife myself, I know the challenges of living without my husband as he served abroad.
My grandfather served in the Coast Guard during the bombing of Pearl Harbor and World War II. He protected his country at a pivotal time in its history, just as our troops do today.
Over 2,500 residents of 'Ewa Beach is currently serving our country. If you are one of them, thank you. Perhaps your children go to school with a child of a deployed serviceman, or maybe you live next door to a veteran.
Soldiers Among Us
I'm thankful to live down the street from the Shaw family. Priscilla Shaw, a Captain in the US Army and a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, is currently serving a six-month deployment in Iraq. Her husband, Cleve, stays busy working and raising their three young children while Priscilla is away.
Priscilla enlisted in the Army Reserves at the age of seventeen. After eight years of service, she took an active duty commission as an Army officer.
Her duties have taken the Shaws around the country a number of times. Even through the hard times, their family maintains a sense of gratitude for being able to serve our nation.
For more information on getting involved, please visit the websites of the USO, A Million Thanks or Soldiers' Angels (USO.org, AMillionThanks.org, SoldiersAngels.org). Consider flying the US flag on your home or business, or simply say "thank you" when you see a person in a military uniform.
It's important that we step up, as the Shaw family has, to support our country and all the people fighting for it. Let us keep their sacrifices in mind, not only on Memorial Day or the Fourth of July, but year-round.
Because they do.
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July 25, 2012
Voice of Kapolei - July 2011
In this era of the Internet, we have been hearing exponentially more about hacking, identity theft and cyber attacks. Our state and national governments, members of Congress, private corporations and everyday citizens are all being affected by this new frontier of criminal activity.
Recently, the website and email that I use for official business were hacked into. Sadly, numerous people have come to me since that incident with similar experiences. This is a widespread problem from which no one is guaranteed complete protection.
The astounding thing about this type of crime is the variety of abuses. Attacks can come from a known acquaintance or a complete stranger sitting on his or her computer in China or Germany. They can cause anything from financial damage, like identity theft or the exploitation of credit card information, to social or emotional damage, like the sad development of cyber bullying affecting our youth.
But since these crimes are far reaching, I believe our laws must go further. As always, the Legislature can best help Hawaii residents when the lines of communication are open. Please do not hesitate to come forward with your experience so we can work to protect our residents from future crimes. Stopping these criminals is a high priority in my office.
According to Civil Beat, Dave Koga, who handles communications for the Honolulu Prosecutor's Office, says there are "basically two state laws" regarding computer crimes:
"One involves harassment by impersonation, where someone uses email. But another is unauthorized computer access, and that is a more serious crime, a felony in the second degree. That's getting into a computer network somehow, like getting someone's Gmail address for example, where you can see everything in the inbox."
If you have been a victim of Internet crime, I want to help. There are now numerous federal and state laws that protect you from such crimes. In some cases, one act alone carries a fine of $100,000. Other acts have jail time - Internet harassment is punishable by up to one in year in jail per incident. You have rights and the law is on your side.
We cannot allow criminals to continue using these avenues to hurt law-abiding citizens. To share your story with me, please contact my office at 586-9730 or email me at reppine@capitol.hawaii.gov.
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July 25, 2012
Voice of Kapolei - June 2011
We had a very busy and challenging legislative session. Thank you to everyone who got involved, because issues dealt with at the State Capitol affect us all. Countless people came forward to fight for issues important to them, like preventing an increase of the general excise tax and the institution of a pension tax. It's likely that these matters would have ended differently if it were not for the groups and individuals who stayed informed, got involved and spoke up.
But this value of civic duty doesn't end with the legislative session. Now that session is over, I will be shifting my focus to public engagement within our own community.
My office is in an ongoing effort to help the Ewa Plain become the most disaster-prepared community in Hawaii. Some time has passed since the HECO power outage and tsunami warning in March, but the same threat remains. I'm continuing to meet with community leaders to organize and strategize ways to activate our neighborhoods, families and individuals.
And it's important that we do so. As you recall, many residents were dismayed that, during the last two emergencies, some government help came late or not at all. I truly believe that the most effective way to get things done is to organize at an ultra-local level and not wait for government to step in - because we can't afford the wait. This is our community and we must take ownership of it.
This philosophy isn't limited to natural disasters. We can all play a major role in helping those who are homeless, hungry or hurt. If you're not already doing so, please consider volunteering through your church or tutoring a student who needs help. Everyone has something to give.
Boy Scouts of America is one organization that really embodies this attitude. The kids who participate are helped to become well-adjusted, resourceful citizens of the world. And not only do the Boy Scouts play a large role in important service projects at a community level, but for years, they have been equipping other residents with emergency preparedness skills! Best of all, the organization instills a sense of civic responsibility that will stay with them into adulthood. I will continue to work with the Boy Scouts to share their assets with those in need.
I encourage you and your neighbors to organize a cleanup, fundraiser or community event for a cause you believe in, or work with an established organization to make a difference. It will teach our children invaluable lessons about empathy, responsibility and confidence and will make our community an even better place to live for generations to come.
We must continue to work together to make our community better. Legislation is a big part of how our state functions, but action at the community level is just as important. I sincerely appreciate everyone who has contributed to make the Ewa Plain the great place that it is, but let's keep going.
Because if not us, then who?
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July 25, 2012
Voice of Kapolei - May 2011
As we near the end of the 2011 Legislative session, members of the House and Senate are wrestling with balancing the State's $1.3 billion budget shortfall. Many legislators have argued that raising taxes or establishing new ones are the only meaningful ways the State can break even. The Governor proposed a retroactive tax on pensions. Other leaders have encouraged gambling in the islands, taxing marijuana, or increasing the general excise tax. But there are better options for securing a more prosperous Hawaii.
We don't need to raise the general excise tax to balance the budget. We also don't need - and can't afford - to permanently raid the Hurricane Relief Fund as others have proposed. While I have the highest respect for my fellow leaders, I disagree with those solutions. Hawaii residents are at their breaking point and simply cannot afford to give government more of their hard-earned income.
To open a dialogue with the people of Hawaii, the Republican Caucus has created a live, interactive website that allows you to make your own choices for revenue increases and spending cuts. Our budget website is transparent and allows you to hold us accountable for putting our fiscal house in order.
In the past, budgeting has been made mysterious and confusing to the public. Allocating your tax dollars should not be done behind closed doors or rushed late in the night when most of the public is asleep - it is your money the State is spending, after all.
I invite you to visit www.HawaiiStateBudgetOnline.com for budget worksheets with various options to balance the State budget. There, you can save a copy of your completed worksheets for yourself and email them to anyone you choose, including your legislators.
The interactive website shows House Republican solutions to our State's fiscal crisis that won't add unnecessary burdens on our hardworking families and business owners.
KEY COMPONENTS OF THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN BUDGET
Government Efficiency: Consolidates programs and departments to their highest potential, saving significant taxpayer dollars. Cutting waste will strengthen services and improve assistance to beneficiaries.
Tax Equality: Unleashes job creation through tax code reforms, making all businesses equal in the eyes of the State and therefore giving a single mother of two the same business opportunities as an established company. Government should not be in the business of picking winners and losers in the private sector.
Retiree Protection: Defends workers' rights by preventing unfair changes to benefits both during and after employment. We reject the Governor's proposed pension tax because retirement is not an appropriate time to force a worker to change his or her financial plans.
Accelerating Student Learning: Channels more funds away from bureaucracy and into the classroom.
Eliminating Liabilities: Sells properties or business ventures in which the State is losing money but getting nothing in return.
Responsible Financing: Compels special funds to stay within their limits and improves the State's credit rating for cost-savings in borrowing.
We need to act responsibly to restructure government and take bold, decisive steps to make certain that future generations can be free of this economic climate we find ourselves in today.
I welcome your thoughts and proposals - because Our Hawaii deserves better.
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July 24, 2012
Voice of Kapolei - April 2011
When the mass power outage and tsunami warning hit our Leeward Coast communities only one week apart, many residents realized that they were not ready if a large-scale natural disaster were to hit our island. The images of the tsunami hitting Japan and the devastation that followed gave us all a wakeup call that we need to get our families and neighborhoods disaster-ready.
I hosted an Emergency Preparedness Town Hall meeting on March 22nd to kick-off this readiness movement. It was very encouraging to see more than 400 residents in attendance! Experts from Department of Emergency Management, State Civil Defense, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, and Hawaii Medical Center also attended the meeting, as well as leaders of "Survive to Serve," a Leeward Coast community organization whose goal is to equip all residents with skills for staying safe and healthy in case of disaster.
Many residents spoke at the meeting about the government response that came slowly or not at all during the last two emergencies. We learned that we cannot sit and wait for help to come. We must take control ourselves. This means gathering supplies for emergency kits and creating and familiarizing ourselves with plans so that when the next disaster strikes, we will all be confident that we will get through it.
A complete plan consists of three parts:
Step 1: Individual and Family Preparedness
Prepare and practice a disaster plan within your own household.
Learn about the types of hazards to which our community is vulnerable
Develop a family disaster plan and practice that plan
Prepare a disaster supplies kit
Step 2: Preparedness among friends and neighbors
Identify contacts outside of your home that you can work with in case of emergency. (Example: If you don't have a car, find a neighbor who can help get you to safety in case of emergency.) Don't be afraid to ask for help!
Step 3: Preparedness with community leaders
Identify community leaders to help others in their areas of influence. (Example: A leader would help to organize others and make sure that their friends and neighbors not only have plans, but follow those plans in case of emergency.) If you are interested in becoming a community leader, please contact my office so we can help you get the necessary training.
The time to get ready for a disaster is NOW - don't wait until the emergency happens. Please help your family and community get ready so we can avoid panic and uncertainty when the time comes.
This is only the beginning of an ongoing community project. Don't worry if you missed the last meeting; more opportunities will be offered to help you get prepared. Please contact my office at 586-9730 or email reppine@capitol.hawaii.gov for more information on upcoming preparedness events.
You can read this article at Voice of Kapolei's website at:
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July 24, 2012
Voice of Kapolei - March 2011
One of the most poignant homemade signs at the last Honolulu Tea Party rally read, "Government: Stop helping me. I can't afford it anymore." An experience with a constituent helped me to understand what he meant. One day, the mother of a 12 year-old girl I mentored called me asking for help after they became homeless.
I found a temporary place for the family to stay while the mother got back on her feet and suggested that we look for a job that would pay her bills. She looked distressed and informed me that she didn't know where to start. I told her I would help and asked her to start listing past jobs to update her resume.
"I don't know how to write a resume," she said. "Can you do it for me? The government got me the last job and my housing. I couldn't possibly do this myself."
I later learned that she was the third generation in her family to live in public housing where rent can be as low as $100 a month. She lost her place when she gave up her housing to go to the mainland. A government program helped her to get multiple jobs with one making $22 an hour as a telemarketer. She lost that job when the company downsized and was back at square one, with no job and no wherewithal to find another.
Three months passed and she still had not applied for work. She chose instead to rely on her chances that she would be next on the public housing waiting list even though the wait was 2 to 3 years. She said she would continue to try to stay from place to place as she has done for a year.
There was nothing wrong with this woman. She was entirely capable of learning new skills and being a productive employee. The tragedy is that she did not know it. For years, the government had reinforced her reliance on those programs and she knew no way out.
I wondered how she would have fared if she had been with my grandfather on a ship from the Philippines so many years ago. He had come to America with a few pieces of clothing and just enough money to buy a few meals. When he died, he owned several properties, had money in the bank and he had done it the old fashioned way - on his own.
Hawaii hands out the most welfare dollars, food, and benefits then all the states in the country. How can we expect to end poverty with such a disincentive to get out of it? Instead of just making poverty easier to live with, we must shift our focus to spending more resources on empowering recipients with the skills and confidence to become self-reliant. By Government doing everything for this woman, they took away her dignity by doing for her what she could do for herself.
I keep an old couch in my capitol office at the state capitol to remind myself of when I was homeless once. Too poor to afford my own place while I was paying high college bills, I slept on that couch in someone else's small condominium. All my belongings had to fit in my car. I finally took a second job to get my own place but couldn't afford a bed so I slept on the floor. I fondly look back at those days as a time that gave me ability to survive anything.
It's easy for people in government to throw money at a problem. What's harder, but more important, is to find out why the problem exists, help a person gain the skills to solve the problem and then watch as their character is strengthened by allowing them to fight their way out of it.
Anything can be achieved with hard work. The only person that can stop a person from finding success is one's self. That is, one's self and the government.
You can read this article at Voice of Kapolei's website at:
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July 24, 2012
Voice of Kapolei - February 2011
This is my fourth term representing the constituency of Ewa Beach in the State House of Representatives. We have succeeded in getting various roadway improvements on the Ewa plain over the years but there is still much more to accomplish.
I have crafted new bills for this session - five of which are specifically designed to alleviate our transportation crisis - but I need your help! Your support and participation in the legislative process will increase our chances of getting these measures passed. A brief description on the bills for your review is illustrated below.
1. Improve highways more quickly: Ends construction delays on crosswalks, stop signs and traffic signals for new developments by allowing progress prior to bureaucratic traffic impact analysis reports. The reports will still be required, but they would no longer hinder highway and road development.
2. Build roads before new home developments: Requires adequate highway infrastructure to be underway or completed prior to residential development, lessening the strain on our existing roads. Allows the State to issue special purpose revenue bonds to real estate developers for building necessary infrastructure, dramatically expediting the improvements.
3. County Surcharges on State General Excise Tax: Gives money back to the City to build the rail, as the State is now wrongly taking more than it needs to collect and process the rail tax.
4. Connect motor vehicle insurance providers' data with Department of Motor Vehicles and police records: Takes uninsured drivers off our roads. This would reduce traffic, make our roads safer and possibly lower insurance rates for insured drivers. Required insurance stickers would help police indentify irresponsible drivers.
5. Complete Capital Improvement Projects: Prioritizes needed Leeward Coast improvements such as school and road improvements.
6. Protect your right to erect a flag pole and fly the US or Hawaii flag: Compels community associations to allow the action with no associated fees. This is a right of every citizen but some associations are wrongfully imposing fines and penalizing patriotism.
7. Require community associations to treat members fairly: Prohibits community association boards from excluding residents from proceedings and decision-making without prior notice or seeking residents' approval. Residents who pay association dues deserve the right to be included in the process.
Please call my office at 586-9730 or email reppine@capitol.hawaii.gov with any questions you may have about these proposals. Thank you for sending me back to the Legislature for another term - it is an honor to serve District 43!
You can read this article at Voice of Kapolei's website at:
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June 8, 2012
Leeward Job and Career Fair on Hawaii News Now
Kathy Davenport of West Oahu Women Social & Business Network shares more details about the upcoming event on Hawaii News Now.View full article
June 4, 2012
Leeward Job and Career Fair June 12th
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Salvation Army Kroc Center Hawaii
91-3257 Kualaka'i Parkway
'Ewa Beach, HI 96706
Participating organizations include:
Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, Honolulu Plice Department, Pearl City Nursing Home, Central Pacific Bank, Family Programs Hawaii, American Savings Bank, NuSkin/Pharmanex, Consumer Service Analysis, Inc., Walmart Stores, Kahi Mohala Behavioral Health, Foodland Sullivan Family of Companies, Accountemps/OfficeTeam, Work Star Injury Recovery Center, Aloha Pacific Federal Credit Union, Hopaco OfficeMax, Firestone Complete Auto Care, Marriott's Ko Olina Beach Club, Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation, The Salvation Army Kroc Center Hawaii, Leeward Community College Office of Continuing Education & Workforce, Clinical Labs of Hawaii, City & County of Honolulu - O'ahu WorkLinks/WorkHawaii, Kama'aina Kids, Hawaiian Electric Company, Child and Family Service, Queen's Medical Center, Hawaii Pacific Health, Insurance Advocates, Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa, Zippy's and many others!
The event is free and open to the public and will feature workshops to prepare you for the interview and more! Society of Human Resource Management Hawaii will provide resume reviews.
For more information please call the Office of Rep. Kymberly Pine at 586-9730
Co-sponsored by West Oahu Women (WOW) Social & Business Network
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February 10, 2012
Internet Bills Concerns
There have been lots of miscommunication about the internet bills. This is the testimony of Christopher Van Marter - the Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney. View full article
January 27, 2012
West Oahu Islander MidWeek January 2012
Here's a look at West Happenings by Rep. Kymberly PineView full article
December 27, 2011
Rep. Pine released the following statement on today's announcement of the close of Hawaii Medical Center
"Today is a very sad day for the residents of the Leeward Coast. Many people work at the hospital and use their facilities. We will do everything that we can to ensure that the impact on our community is minimal. We will ensure that unemployment benefits are immediately extended to those that will lose their jobs.
"On behalf of all the residents of the Leeward Coast, I sincerely thank the people of the St. Francis Healthcare System for all the care they've given our community over the years, most importantly the care they have provided to lower income residents.
"This is a devastating blow to the people of the Leeward Coast who will no longer have timely access to emergency health care that could save lives."
October 31, 2011
MEDIA ADVISORY
OFFICE OF REPRESENTATIVE KYMBERLY MARCOS PINE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 24, 2011
Contact: Kaylee Skaar
Office: (808) 586-9730
K.Skaar@capitol.hawaii.gov
JOINT COMMITTEE TO HOST INFORMATIONAL BRIEFING ON ELDER ABUSE AND FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION
HONOLULU - A joint House and Senate Committee on Human Services will hold an informational briefing on elder abuse and financial exploitation on Thursday, October 27 at 1:00 p.m. at the Hawaii State Capitol, Conference Room 329.
The briefing will address consumer protection issues involving Hawaii's seniors, including elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation, as well as the proposed HB 1123, introduced during the 2011 legislative session, which would require a durable Power of Attorney (POA) to be signed by two witnesses not related to the POA and acknowledged by a notary public, an effort to defend seniors against financial exploitation by caregivers.
Rep. Kymberly Pine (District 43 - Ewa Beach, Iroquois Point, Puuloa) who helped author HB 1123 stated, "We should also look into possibly ensuring that the second signer is someone experienced in elder financial exploitation and would know whether a person is being coerced or is in the proper state of mind to make financial decisions."
The committee will also review the state's ability to address the needs of the elderly and review recommendations for stronger policy and public responsibility to adequately address elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation. The briefing will cover policy to ensure quality long-term healthcare for the elderly with a focus on aging in place and community based healthcare.
"Abusers often target elderly men and women who live alone and have family on the mainland or on other islands," said Rep. Pine. "The victim and his or her family may not even realize the crime is occurring until it's too late. Hawaii needs stronger safeguards, tougher penalties and education to protect our seniors from these perpetrators."
"Our state is graying faster than any state in the union," said Rep. John Mizuno, Committee Chair (District 30 - Kalihi Valley, Kamehameha Heights, Moanalua, Fort Shafter). "Hawaii's seniors have contributed to our communities for decades - it's imperative that we now protect them and their families from this kind of suffering."
According to the Executive Office on Aging, by the year 2020 one in four Hawaii residents will be age 60 or older.
Family caregivers, volunteer and private caregivers, case managers, case management agencies, community care homes (foster homes), and Adult Day Care Centers under the purview of the Department of Human Services (DHS) will present information of their role in the long-term healthcare continuum for the elderly in Hawaii and provide recommendations on improving healthcare and services for the elderly.
In addition to victims of elder abuse, many important organizations have been invited to participate in this briefing, including: State Department of Human Services, Adult Protective Services (DHS), Community Ties of America (DHS), State Executive Office on Aging, AARP, Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Honolulu Police Department (HPD), Ohana Health Plan, Evercare Hawaii, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Adult Foster Homes/Care Homes under purview of DHS, All case managers and case management agencies under DHS, other individuals or organizations related to caregivers, case managers, care home operators, and adult foster home operators.
October 21, 2011
Hearing to address issue of children dying in state custody
Star Advertiser, Sep 22, 2011
By Dan Nakaso
The unexplained death of 9-month-old Jayvid Waa-Ili on Aug. 26 represented the 30th fatality of a child in state custody since 2000, but nearly all were likely the result of pre-existing conditions or natural deaths, a leading child abuse expert said Wednesday.
Steven Choy, director of the Kapiolani Child Protection Center, serves on a team that reviews all childhood deaths in Hawaii and Choy does not recall a child abuse fatality involving foster care since 2000.
"They're primarily due to congenital problems and illness," Choy said. "In the last 10 years, I can't remember any that died at the hands of someone in foster care from child abuse."
State Sen. Suzanne Chun Oakland, chairwoman of the Senate Human Services Committee, on Tuesday said she was aware of three children dying in state custody from 2006 to 2008.
But Gov. Neil Abercrombie's office released data on Wednesday that showed 30 children - including Waa-Ili - have died in state custody since the 2000-01 fiscal year.
The baby's death represented one of two fatalities in state custody this fiscal year.
The childhood fatality figures come as state Rep. John Mizuno, chairman of the House Human Services Committee, has scheduled a hearing this afternoon to clarify the state Department of Human Services' policies regarding the release of information on cases such as Waa-Ili's.
The baby was taken into Child Welfare Services custody from a Hauula home on Aug. 10 and died on Aug. 26 at the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center.
Autopsy results are pending toxicology tests, but police homicide detectives said no foul play appeared to be involved.
"Public disclosure in these types of cases comes down to a balancing test - the need to know versus the need to protect privacy," Mizuno said.
State Rep. Kymberly Marcos Pine (R, Ewa Beach-Iroquois Point) plans to attend today's hearing to understand how information is disseminated after a child dies while under the care of the state.
"What does happen in cases like this where a baby died?" Pine asked. "I would like to know their (DHS) answer."
In addition to information about Waa-Ili's case, Pine has much broader questions about the 30 children - including Waa-Ili - who have died in state custody since 2000.
Thirty deaths "is quite alarming," she said. "That's a very large number, in my opinion. Is it something we can prevent? Or have these children had such trauma in their previous care that it affects their very survival after that? It's hard to point a finger.
"Any time that any child dies, in anyone's care, it should be at the top of anyone's priority, whether it's in CPS care or your neighbor's care," Pine said. "Any time a child dies it should always be of concern."
October 11, 2011
Representative Kymberly Pine released the following statement regarding the alleged financial abuse of an elderly man, Lawrence H. Dorcy
"The case of Hans M. Kanuha and Laurence H. Dorcy shows that it is all too easy to get a hold of an elderly person's assets here in Hawaii. There needs to be more protection in place that prevents people from conning an elderly person into giving everything away. The legislature has not done enough."
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August 29, 2011
VIRGINIA EARTHQUAKE A REMINDER TO HAWAI'I RESIDENTS TO PREPARE FOR EMERGENCIES
'Ewa Beach residents are urging their neighbors to get prepared for disasters in light of Tuesday's earthquake in Virginia. The 'Ewa Emergency Preparedness Committee, a nonprofit organization, will host a "Get Ready 'Ewa Beach" Emergency Preparedness Fair as part of September's National Preparedness Month.
"Today's earthquake on the East Coast serves as a reminder that disasters can strike on any day, at any time, anywhere in the world. Its important that all of our residents take the risk seriously and get prepared," said Rep. Kymberly Pine ('Ewa Beach, Iroquois Point, Pu'uloa).
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August 29, 2011
A Time to Remember. A Time to Prepare.
September is National Preparedness Month
Aloha,
As you know, this September marks the tenth anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks. Just as I do, I'm sure you remember where you were when those horrifying events unfolded that day.
Hopefully, our nation will never have to experience that kind of tragedy again. But as we remember that awful day ten years ago, it's important that we also look to the future, as disasters can be both man-made and natural, and can come without warning. We must prepare not only at the government level, but also within our own homes and communities.
After many of us realized earlier this year that 'Ewa Beach is not entirely prepared for the potential emergencies we face, a group of local residents with extensive preparedness experience came together to form the 'Ewa Emergency Preparedness Committee. They have been working very hard to coordinate our first-ever "Get Ready 'Ewa Beach" Emergency Preparedness Fair.
The event will take place on September 24, 2011, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at 'Ewa Makai Middle School and will focus on tsunami and hurricane preparedness, how to create a family plan, supply kits, evacuations, health emergencies and insurance.
Experts from the Department of Emergency Management, State Civil Defense, FEMA, American Red Cross, Boy Scouts of America, private businesses and dozens of community organizations will host informational booths, seminars and hands-on training sessions for you and your neighbors to prepare for the next impending man-made or natural disaster.
The family-friendly fair will be open to all ages and include fun activities for children as well as preparedness information specifically geared toward older residents. You can also enter to win great raffle prizes, like one of two electric generators, emergency supply kits, and many other useful preparedness tools!
Your neighbors are also putting together a long-term plan to keep making progress after the fair on September 24th. It will take more than one day for our community to get completely prepared. If you're interested in getting involved, please contact the 'Ewa Emergency Preparedness Committee at GetReadyEwaBeach@gmail.com. It's amazing what we can achieve when we work together.
As always, please call my office at 586-9730 or email me at RepPine@capitol.hawaii.gov with questions. I hope to see you on September 24th!
Kym
July 7, 2011
Informational Briefing on Cybercrime
In this era of the internet, we have been hearing more and more about internet hacking, identity theft and cyber attacks. Members of Congress, our state and national governments, private corporations and ordinary citizens are all being affected by this new frontier of criminal activity.
Recently, my own website and email were hacked into and meddled with. Sadly, numerous people have come to me since that incident with similar experiences. This is a widespread problem from which no one is guaranteed complete protection.
If you have been a victim of internet crime, I want to help.
Members of the State House of Representatives are holding an informational briefing on the topic of cybercrimes. The purpose of the informational briefing is to help members of the State Legislature better understand the depth and scope of this problem, its growing sophistication, and ways that existing state statutes should be strengthened.
Informational Briefing on Cybercrime
Tuesday, July 12
10:00 a.m.
State Capitol, Room 309
These crimes affect a wide range of abuses, including financial damage, like identity theft or the exploitation of credit card information, to social or emotional damage, like the sad development of cyber bullying affecting our youth. If you have been affected by these crimes, your participation can help to protect your friends and family members from falling victim in the future.
We cannot allow criminals to continue using these avenues to hurt law-abiding citizens. To share your story, please contact my office at 586-9730 or email me at reppine@capitol.hawaii.gov.
July 7, 2011
Emergency Preparedness Workshop
July 9, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Kapolei High School
The Department of Emergency Management is hosting a FREE workshop to prepare homeowners for natural hazards. It will cover the following topics: tsunami and hurricane risks, emergency supplies and evacuation kits, evacuation planning, strengthening your home through retrofits, and hurricane and flood insurance.
The program will include experts from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, National Weather Service, University of Hawaii Sea Grant, NOAA, DLNR, State National Flood Insurance Program and private industry. No RSVP is required.
Please contact my office at 586-9730 or reppine@capitol.hawaii.gov with questions.
I hope to see you there!
March 15, 2011
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS IS TOP PRIORITY
You are invited to a Town Hall Meeting on Tuesday, March 22nd to discuss our community's emergency preparedness and learn how to apply for reimbursement from HECO for lost power. Please see below for details of the meeting, and invite your friends and neighbors!
I spent time on-site during and after both events, speaking with residents and workers tasked with evacuation, restoration and clean-up assistance. While many things worked very well, I did hear comments from constituents who were frustrated with other aspects of the aftermath.
Experts and agency representatives will be there to answer your questions and help your family stay safe, healthy and comfortable should we endure events like these again.
March 15, 2011
With Hawaii Welfare Handouts at Top in the Country, Where is the Incentive to Rise from Poverty?
One of the most poignant homemade signs at the last Honolulu Tea Party rally read, "Government: Stop helping me. I can't afford it anymore."
An experience with a constituent helped me to understand what it meant.
One day, the mother of a 12 year-old girl I mentored called me asking for help after they had become homeless.
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For previous news updates, visit our news archives.